Imperial Tobacco Will Challenge UK Bans On Cigarette Displays And Vending Machines In High Court

EDINBURGH -- The Scottish government's ban on vending cigarettes and their open display in retail shops has been delayed in a challenge by Imperial Tobacco Group that will be heard by the Supreme Court in November.

Scottish ministers argue that banning the open display of cigarettes will help protect future generations from the health risks of smoking. They had planned to introduce the display ban in April.

Imperial Tobacco (Bristol, England), which sells Lambert & Butler and Richmond cigarettes in Britain, says there is no credible evidence that display bans have reduced tobacco consumption or smoking by young people in the few countries where they've been introduced.

Imperial lost its appeal of the United Kingdom's prohibition of cigarette vending in July 2011 | SEE STORY. However, its implementation has been delayed by further appeal proceedings by the tobacco giant.

The civil case, which opposes both the display and cigarette vending bans, will now come before five Supreme Court judges on Nov. 12.

The UK's smoking ban in public places, including restaurants and taverns, went into effect in July 2007.